…Tension, defections, arrests, violence allegations, and vote-buying concerns as 1.9 million voters head to the polls
All roads lead to Osun State this Saturday as more than 1.9 million registered voters prepare to determine whether Governor Ademola Adeleke will secure a second term or the All Progressives Congress (APC) will reclaim the state in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched governorship elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
The election has been defined by an increasingly intense contest between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and APC candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, with African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam also emerging as a notable contender.
Beyond campaign promises and political rallies, the final days leading to the poll have been dominated by allegations of violence, arrests, political intimidation, defections, vote-buying, and concerns over the neutrality of security agencies.
The heightened tension has prompted repeated calls for restraint from political leaders, civil society organisations, and election observers.
Indeed, the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Osun has urged all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful election, while Yiaga Africa has described the poll as a critical test of the readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies ahead of the 2027 elections.
Death Threat Controversy
One of the most contentious developments followed the circulation of a video showing Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, making remarks interpreted as a death threat against Accord Party members in Ilesa.
The senator later retracted the statement following widespread public criticism.
The controversy escalated further when the National Human Rights Commission called for his arrest and suspension, while Governor Adeleke also demanded appropriate action over the alleged threat.
Fadahunsi, however, countered by accusing the Adeleke administration of failing to curb violence in Osun East, alleging that more than 40 people had been killed in the district over the past year. The claim remains unverified.
The development has further heightened concerns about the capacity of political actors to prevent violence as supporters mobilise for Saturday’s vote.
Arrests Fuel Political Tension
The controversy has also extended to the arrest of political figures.
Adeleke’s campaign organisation alleged that more than 60 Accord Party leaders and members were being detained by the police, describing the arrests as unlawful and calling for their immediate release. One of those identified, a supporter known as Alabama, was reportedly arrested in the Ilesa area in connection with alleged political violence.
Earlier, the Osun State Police Command arrested the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five others over alleged vote-buying, further heightening political tensions ahead of the election.
The competing allegations have created a charged political environment in which both major camps continue to accuse each other of attempting to influence the electoral process.
Last-Minute Defection Drama
The final days have also witnessed notable political realignments.
A factional Accord Party chairman, Prof. Christopher Imumolen, publicly endorsed APC candidate Oyebamiji during the party’s mega rally in Osogbo.
The Accord Party swiftly dismissed the endorsement, describing Imumolen as a former expelled official and insisting that his position does not represent the party.
The development adds another layer to an already fluid political landscape characterised by shifting alliances and strategic recalculations.
The APC has also secured the backing of former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola for Oyebamiji, while the ruling camp maintains that Adeleke remains the candidate to beat.
Adeleke: ‘I Am A Bulldozer’
As the contest enters its final hours, Governor Adeleke has adopted a more assertive tone.
He has described himself as a “bulldozer” and stated that he is not intimidated by federal political figures or governors campaigning for the APC candidate.
The governor has also repeatedly warned against attempts to manipulate the electoral process, drawing historical parallels with political violence in the old Western Region and cautioning that Osun residents would resist electoral malpractice.
His campaign has also sought assurances from the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, regarding a peaceful and impartial election.
APC Mobilises Heavyweights
The APC, meanwhile, has deployed significant political influence in Osun.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several governors attended the party’s mega rally in Osogbo, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has openly endorsed Oyebamiji.
The APC is framing the election as an opportunity for change, with Oyebamiji promising to address hunger and poverty while prioritising agriculture, education, healthcare, and security.
The contest has thus evolved beyond a direct rivalry between two candidates into a broader test of political strength between the ruling party in the state and the opposition seeking to regain control.
Vote-Buying Allegations
Another major concern remains allegations of vote-buying.
Residents of Osogbo told journalists that individuals identified as political canvassers distributed cash in some communities, with claims that ₦15,000 was initially given, followed by an additional ₦10,000, and further payments allegedly promised on election day.
The APC has denied any involvement in vote-buying, while attempts to obtain a response from the Accord Party spokesperson were reportedly unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The allegations raise concerns about the potential exploitation of economic hardship to influence voter behaviour.
1.9m PVCs Collected
Despite the tension, INEC says preparations for the election are well advanced.
The commission disclosed that 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards have been collected, representing 81.50 per cent of the state’s 2,339,233 registered voters.
This leaves 426,842 PVCs, or 18.50 per cent, uncollected. INEC stated that the uncollected cards have been deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Sensitive election materials have also arrived in Osogbo, while INEC plans to deploy ad-hoc staff drawn from more than 30,000 NYSC members.
Osun Under Security Lockdown
Security arrangements have been scaled up significantly.
The Nigeria Police Force says more than 15,000 personnel will be deployed for the election, supported by 30 Commissioners of Police and a Deputy Inspector-General coordinating operations.
A police helicopter and drone surveillance units have also been deployed, while Mobile Police units will be stationed across all 30 local government areas of the state.
Authorities further announced that the Army will cordon off border roads from midnight before the election, with vehicular movement restricted to essential services, security personnel, and accredited voters.
A mobile court has also been set up to prosecute electoral offences.
The deployment follows a history of politically motivated violence previously recorded in parts of Osun, including Osogbo, Ede, Esa-Oke, Ilobu, and Ile-Ife.
A Test Before 2027
The significance of the election extends beyond Osun State.
With Nigeria already looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, observers are closely monitoring whether INEC can deliver a credible process, whether security agencies will remain neutral, and whether political parties will accept the outcome.
Yiaga Africa has specifically described the poll as a key test of INEC and security agencies’ preparedness for 2027.
For Osun voters, however, the stakes are immediate.
They must decide whether Adeleke deserves another term or whether Oyebamiji should assume leadership, while Salaam and other candidates seek to disrupt the dominant two-party contest.
This Saturday, campaign rhetoric will give way to ballot papers, rallies to polling units, and projections to actual votes.
The central question is no longer who can attract the largest crowds, but who can translate political momentum into votes, and whether those votes will be protected, accurately counted, and allowed to determine the outcome.